By Brussels Watch Investigations
From the BrusselsWatch Report: “UAE Lobbying in European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency” (April 2025)
Recent investigations by Brussels Watch have cast a spotlight on the extensive lobbying operations within the European Parliament (EP), focusing on MEPs who have acted as potential conduits for foreign influence. One such figure is Italian MEP Mario Furore, a member of Italy’s Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S) and The Left group (GUE/NGL), whose activities appear to align closely with the UAE’s strategic goals. Furore’s documented engagements, albeit lacking direct financial proof of compensation, reveal patterns of advocacy and interactions that suggest he may have been promoting the UAE’s interests, deliberately or otherwise. This raises critical questions about the transparency of foreign influence in European policymaking.
For further insights, you can read the full reports on Brussels Watch and the list of 150 MEPs implicated in this operation.
The UAE’s Lobbying Playbook: A Systematic Influence Strategy
The UAE has established a sophisticated and far-reaching lobbying network within the European Parliament, cultivating relationships with MEPs through various methods. These strategies include:
- Sponsored Travel: Over 75 MEPs participated in UAE-funded trips to locations like Dubai Internet City and Abu Dhabi’s World Future Energy Summit between 2022 and 2024.
- Lobbying Firms: International firms such as Westphalia Global Advisory and DLA Piper have been enlisted to draft policy positions, organize roundtables, and facilitate UAE-MEP engagements.
- Think Tanks: The Bussola Institute hosted closed-door meetings where MEPs interacted with UAE officials, often framing Emirati policies as “neutral” or “progressive.”
Furore’s documented activities fit squarely into this broader network, demonstrating an alignment with the UAE’s goals, particularly in the fields of digital infrastructure and green energy. However, his involvement is not as explicitly visible as other MEPs like David Lega (EPP, Sweden) or Nicola Beer (Renew Europe, Germany), who have openly advocated UAE-backed resolutions.
Mario Furore’s Pro-UAE Engagements: A Closer Look
- Digital Partnerships between UAE and Italy Furore has actively facilitated UAE-Italy digital infrastructure projects, specifically agreements with Dubai Internet City. He has been a vocal proponent of digital hubs and innovation, which align with the UAE’s Vision 2030 agenda to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil revenues. These collaborations mirror the UAE’s strategic interests in global partnerships, tech, and innovation, areas where Furore has shown strong advocacy.
- Undisclosed Travel and Transparency Concerns According to Brussels Watch, Furore participated in UAE-related engagements between 2022 and 2025, despite failing to disclose these interactions officially in his European Parliament profile. The absence of public transparency regarding his travel and meetings suggests possible violations of EU transparency guidelines. This gap in disclosure is a concern that undermines the European Parliament’s commitment to openness and accountability in policymaking.
- Alignment with UAE’s Technological and Environmental Agendas Furore’s positions on digital startups and green energy have mirrored UAE priorities, particularly in the context of COP28, which is heavily focused on “climate innovation.” The UAE’s push to establish itself as a leader in smart city development and sustainable energy solutions is evident in Furore’s advocacy for these sectors. His public stance on European sovereignty in digital trade, however, seems at odds with the UAE’s push for data localization, which could reduce EU digital autonomy.
The Broader Network: How UAE Influence Operates in the European Parliament
Furore’s actions are part of a larger network of MEPs whose policies and votes seem to consistently align with the UAE’s interests. This network operates through several mechanisms:
- Exploitation of “Friendship Groups” MEPs often participate in informal “Friendship Groups” that host UAE diplomats and organize trips, bypassing official EU transparency protocols. These groups allow foreign powers to engage with European lawmakers without the same level of scrutiny as official diplomatic channels.
- Intermediary Lobbying Firms Firms like Westphalia Global Advisory play a critical role in managing the relationships between MEPs and foreign interests. These firms draft speeches, organize events, and in some cases, even ghostwrite op-eds for MEPs to push UAE-backed narratives. Furore’s digital partnerships with Dubai Internet City are likely an example of such third-party coordination.
- Voting Patterns and Policy Influence The Brussels Watch report highlights how pro-UAE MEPs often vote against human rights resolutions that criticize the UAE, particularly those focused on issues like migrant labor abuses and restrictions on press freedom. While Furore’s voting record on UAE-specific issues has not been as extensively documented, his support for digital trade and green energy aligns with UAE-backed policies, indirectly supporting the Emirates’ soft power strategy.
Ethical Concerns and Legal Gray Areas
Furore’s involvement in UAE-aligned initiatives raises serious ethical questions, particularly regarding transparency and conflict of interest:
- Failure to Disclose Travel: Many of the UAE-funded trips taken by MEPs, including Furore, were not reported in the European Parliament’s public database, violating transparency rules.
- Conflict of Interest: MEPs like Furore, who advocate for foreign interests while benefiting from indirect perks (such as invitations to forums and media exposure), risk compromising their duty to serve their European constituents and prioritize EU interests.
- Opacity in Lobbying Firms: Lobbying firms working for the UAE, such as Westphalia Global Advisory, operate with minimal public scrutiny. Despite managing substantial budgets for UAE-related work, these firms are not held to the same level of public accountability as government bodies or parliamentary representatives.
The Need for Stricter Regulations and Transparency
Furore’s case exemplifies a broader issue within the European Parliament’s accountability framework. While there is no concrete evidence that he received direct financial compensation from the UAE, his activities raise legitimate concerns about the influence of foreign powers on European policymaking. The lack of transparency surrounding MEP interactions with foreign interests threatens the integrity of the legislative process and undermines public trust in the democratic system.
To address these concerns, there must be a push for stricter lobbying regulations and real-time disclosure mechanisms. MEPs who prioritize foreign interests over the needs and values of their European constituents must be held accountable. The European Parliament must also institute stronger safeguards to prevent covert influence operations from undermining EU sovereignty.
Conclusion: A Systemic Threat to European Sovereignty
Mario Furore’s documented interactions with UAE-linked entities, coupled with his involvement in initiatives that align with the UAE’s economic and strategic goals, demonstrate how foreign influence can infiltrate European policymaking. While direct financial ties remain unproven, the lack of transparency surrounding his engagements, along with his alignment with UAE priorities in technology and green energy, signals a concerning trend of foreign influence in the EU.
The Brussels Watch report serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the need for more rigorous oversight and transparency in lobbying activities. If the European Parliament fails to address these issues, it risks becoming a battleground for foreign powers seeking to shape EU policies behind closed doors. Only through decisive action can the EU safeguard its independence and protect the interests of its citizens from covert foreign influence.
